Mango belong to the stone fruit family. Mango trees are long-lived and the fruit varies in size, shape, color and sweetness according to the cultivar, of which there are several hundred worldwide.
Pollination
In mango orchards, several cultivars are often grown to improve pollination. Mango flowers emit a putrid smell after flowering which attracts flies and other insects. These insects; flies, wasps, butterflies, beetles and bees are considered important protagonists in the pollination process. Research conducted in Israel has shown that the use of honey bees together with bumblebees increase the pollination and cross pollination, improving yields.
Bumblebees are very capable and efficient pollinators of melons. Bumblebees do not store honey like the honey bee, so they must forage daily. They can perform in cold, cloudy and rainy conditions and work very fast (4 times faster than the honey bee), which means that they visit many more flowers at any given time. They are very large (twice the size of a honey bee) and fuzzier, so every visit to the flower causes effective pollination. Additionally, bumblebees can do “buzz” pollination which is absolutely essential in certain crops.
Pests and diseases
BioBee’s approach to IPM is multifaceted, employing multiple strategies to achieve the optimal result. In addition to the gradual release of host-specific beneficial insects, BioBee recommends that growers use selective “soft” chemical pesticides. This strategy helps growers transition from using “harsh” chemicals, which are dangerous to the human population and the environment and have long-lasting residues. It has also been proven to increase marketable crop yield, and as a result, increases profits.
With BioBee, growers meet the strict legislation in Europe, the U.S., Japan and other countries regarding MRLs (maximum residue levels), as well as GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) requirements, including GLOBALGAP (a voluntary standard required by many supermarket chains in Europe). Produce grown with BioBee requires minimal pesticide use.
BioBee’s staff is extensively trained in the IPM method, and works directly with growers to produce a tailor-made IPM program to meet his or her individual needs. This customized program is successfully implemented with the ongoing oversight and guidance of BioBee’s staff.
